Building construction and method



Feb.'1 7 1970 RI.C.JQHNSON 3,

I BUILDING '7 CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD Filed Au 17, 1 967 1 I s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ROBERT c. JOHNSON BY QW/ aZnmQoM m HIS ATTORNEYS Feb. 17, 1970 R. c. JOHNSON 3,495,363v

BUILDING cons'nwcwxon Am) METHOD v Filed Aug. 17, 19s? s Sheets-Sheeii s FlG.-9

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INVENTOR ROBERT C. JOHNSON BY (mm, anama 24m HIS ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,495,363 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD Robert C. Johnson, Chesterfield County, Va., assignor to Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 17, 1967, Ser. No. 661,270 Int. Cl. E04d 13/14, 1/36; E04c 2/32 US. Cl. 5260 20 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In providing a building construction comprised of external sheathing means such as metal sheathing, for example, fastened against a suitable substructure to define a roof'construction and/or an external wall construction, it is necessary that a strong durable surface be provided which has a pleasing appearance yet will not leak even after extended use and high external loading of the type caused by wind, snow, or personnel walking on the sheathing means. One of the greatest problems with external surfaces made of metal sheating is that each sheating panel usually leaks around its fastening nails due to backing out of such nails and the loss of sealing pressure against sealing washers used in association with such nails. It has also been found that differential thermal expansion and contraction of metal sheathing means and its asso ciated supporting substructure tends to work the fastening nails out of the supporting substructure, thereby reducing the liquid-tight character of a building construction comprised of such metal sheating means, which is very undesirable.

SUMMARY This invention provides improved sheathing means and an improved building construction and a method of making such a building construction wherein a plurality of such sheathing means are utilized to define a roof and/ or wall construction which is liquid tight, has high strength and durability, is pleasing in appearance, and which provides optimum performance even under adverse conditions. Each sheathing means or panel of this invention is fastened in position by a fastening nail, or the like, which is in a protected position behind a comparatively high water darn which cooperates with the normal surface tension of water, which also helps form a barrier between adjoining panels, to prevent water from reaching the nail hole.

Other details, uses, and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the following description of the embodiments thereof presented in the accompanying drawings proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings show present preferred embodiments of this invention, in which FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the building construction of this invention with parts shown by dotted lines and other parts broken away;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 22 of FIGURE 1 with parts broken away and particularly illustrating a sheathing member comprising such building construction fastened in position together with a pair of adjoining sheathing members along opposite side edges thereof;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary end view of the left end portion of the central sheathing member shown in FIGURE 2 particularly illustrating the manner of fastening such left end portion in position to provide a liquid-tight seal;

FIGURE 4 is a view with parts in section and parts broken away particularly illustrating the use of a sheathing member, which is identical to the sheating members of FIGURE 1, as a fascia along the top portion of a vertical wall means and as a starting section for a roof construction;

FIGURE 5 is a view with parts in section and parts broken away particularly illustrating the use of a sheathing member to complete a roof construction and extend along the top portion of adjoining vertical wall means as a fascia;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 and particularly illustrating the use of a sheathing member to complete a roof construction and form a fascia along the top portion of an adjoining vertical wall by bending a portion of such sheathing member about a selected ridge means provided on such sheathing member wherein the dimensional configuration of the associated structures is such that the selected ridge means does not coincide with the associated corner defined by the edge of the roof construction and vertical wall;

FIGURE 7 is an end view of a typical exemplary sheathing member comprising the building construction of FIGURE I particularly illustrating the bowed configuration in which such sheathing member is preferably made;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary end view of the left side edge portion of such exemplary sheathing member;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary end view particularly illustrating a typical ridge means formed in the central portion of such exemplary sheathing member;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged fragmentary end view illustrating central channel means comprising such sheathing member; and

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged fragmentary end view showing the right side edge portion of such sheathing member as viewed in FIGURE 6.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS In the exemplary embodiment of this invention illustrated in FIGURE 1 of the drawings an improved building construction designated generally by the numeral 20 is illustrated and comprises a roof substructure shown at 21 and adjoining transverse substructure defining vertical wall means shown as a pair of vertical walls 22 and 23. The roof substructure comprises a plurality of rafters one of which is seen in FIGURE 1 and designated by the numeral 25. A plurality of purlins each designated by the numeral 26 are suitably fastened to each rafter 25 and extend horizontally across the building construction 20 and provide support means against which sheathing means shown as a plurality of identical sheathing members or panels of this invention each designated by the same reference numeral 30 are suitably fastened in position.

The building construction 20 illustrated in FIGURE 1 has a rear fascia board designated by the numeral 31 which is suitably fastened in position and also has a front supporting member 32 which in this example of the As previously mentioned the building construction 20 comprises a plurality of sheathing members 30 which are suitably fastened in position to the roof substructure to define a water-tight roof for such building construction. Each sheathing member or panel 30 is installed in position as illustrated in FIGURE 2 by fastening means shown as a plurality of fastening nails each designated by the numeral 33. The contruction of each panel 30 is such that the fastening nails 33 are installed in a concealed and inaccessible position.

With the fastening nails 33 installed in such inaccessible position it will be appreciated that there will be no tendency for leakage to occur at the point of fastening the particular sheathing member in position. Each fastening nails 33 is also installed in position along an associated side edge portion of a particular sheathing panel 30 which has essentially a double thickness, as will be described in detail later, to assure that the particular sheathing panel will not be torn away due to excessive loading or pressures exerted against the underside of such panel and as shown by the arrow at 35 in FIGURE 2.

Each sheathing panel 30 is constructed so that it has high strength and durability and so that it can withstand comparatively high external loads when suitably fastened in position in a building construction. In addition, a building construction using a plurality of panels 30 remains water tight even with differential expansion and contraction of the plurality of panels relative to associated substructure.

As seen particularly in FIGURES 2 and 7 of the drawings, each sheathing panel 30 comprises a central portion designated generally by the numeral 40 having a pair of opposed side edge means indicated at 41 and 42. Intergral downwardly opening supported channel means shown as a channel 43 of approximately trapezoidal outline along three sides extends from one side edge means or side edge 41 and terminates in an inwardly hooking surface 44 (see FIGURE 8) which is arranged substantially coplanar with central portion 40 with panel 30 suitably installed in position on an associated substructure.

Wedge surface means shown as an inclined surface 45 extends upwardly at an acute included angle from the terminal end of inwardly hooking suface 44 and surface 45 cooperates with surface 44 to define yielding wedge means indicated generally by the numeral 50. Wedge means or wedge 50 is used during the installation of its associated panel 30 in position in a unique manner as will be subsequently described.

Each sheathing panel 30 also has cooperating surface means shown as a substantially L-shaped cooperating surface 51 extending upwardly from the other side edge means or side edge 42 of central portion 40 and such L-shaped cooperating surface means 51 is defined by a pair of adjoining leg portions designated respectively by the numerals 52 and 53. The leg portion 52 adjoins side edge means 42 while leg portion 53 extends substantially in parallel relation over a narrow strip 54 of the central portion 40. L-shaped surface 51 cooperates with strip 54 to define slot means indicated by the numeral 55 which is adapted to receive identical yielding wedge means 50 of an associated sheathing panel 30 used to form a building construction.

Each sheathing panel 30 also has downwardly opening supporting channel means designated by the numeral 60 and extending from the terminal edge of leg portion 53 comprising cooperating surface 51. Channel means or channel 60 is of roughly inverted V-shap'ed cross-sectional outline.

Each panel 30 also has an outward extension 61 which adjoins supporting channel means 60 and outward extension 61 is arranged substantially coplanar with the central portion of sheathing panel 30. The outward extension 61 has an integral double thickness terminal end portion designated by the numeral 62 which is adapted to cooperate with associated fastening nails 33 to assure that the particular sheathing member 30' is held firmly in position in a building construction.

In this example of the invention, the outward extension 61 is shown as having a plurality of identical nail receiving elongated opening means 63 which may be of substantially oval or elliptical peripheral outline, see FIGURE 11. Such oval openings may be arranged along extension 61 over the full length of panel 30. One example of the size and arrangement of openings 63 would be .156 inch wide, .500 inch long, and arranged on 3 inch centers. Each opening 63 receives an associated fastening nail 33 therethrough and allows its associated panel to expand primarily longitudinally relative to its substructure to further assure an adjacent portion of panel 30 is not sheared.

Although, in this example of the invention, each panel 30 is shown as having nail receiving openings 63, it may be preferred in certain applications to eliminate such openings and fasten each panel in position by piercing the panel with a fastening nail and fastening it in position. However, it will be appreciated that with or without the openings 63 the unique construction of each panel 30 is such that wedge means cooperates with associated slot means of an adjoining panel 30' to provide a liquid tight junction as well as compensate substantially completely for differential transverse expansion and contraction.

Each sheathing panel 30 has integral downwardly concave ridge means arranged between channel means 43 and and illustrated particularly in FIGURES 2 and 7 as a plurality of substantially semicylindrical ridges each designated by the same numeral 64 and a few representative ones having been so designated. The semicylindrical ridges 64 are preferably arranged in parallel spaced apart relation in a substantially symmetrical manner with respect to the side edges 41 and 42 of central portion 40.

Each sheathing member 30 also has a central downwardly opening channel means shown as a centrally arranged channel means or channel 65' which in this example of the invention has a peripheral configuration along its three closed sides of an isosceles trapezoid arranged with its nonparallel legs flaring outwardly. The central channel means 65 and channel means 43 and 60 are of substantially equal height above the planar central portion 40.

The semicylindrical ridges 64 have a height which is a fractional part of the height of channel means 43, 60, and 65. In particular, the height of each downwardly opening semicylindrical ridge 64 is roughly one-fourth of the height of the channel means 43, 60, and 65.

The structural configuration of each sheathing panel 30 is such that the major portion thereof lies substantially against associated substructure such as an associated purlin 26. This allows each sheathing panel 30 to be installed and fastened in position so that it may be maintained substantially in tension and the semicylindrical ridges 64 and central channel means 65 provide adequate structural rigidity to prevent what is commonly referred to as an oil can effect once each sheathing panel 30 is fastened in position along its opposite side edge means in an associated building construction.

The supporting channel means 60 has an inclined supporting surface adjoining the terminal edge of leg portion 53 of cooperating L-shaped supporting surface 51 (see FIGURE 11). Supporting surface 70 is inclined at an acute angle away from central portion 40. In a similar manner, supported channel means 43, see FIG- URE 8, has an inclined supported surface 71 adjoining inwardly hooking surface 44 at a corresponding acute angle and surface 71 is inclined generally toward central portion 40 of its sheathing panel 30.

This structural configuration along opposite side edge means of each sheathing panel 30 assures that upon hooking and wedging yielding wedge means 50 of a given sheathing panel 30 in position within a cooperating slot 55 of an adjoining identical sheathing panel 30 the inclined supporting surface 70 lies substantially against and beneath associated supported surface 71 of the sheathing panel 30 being fastened in position to define a structure having a double thickness and having high strength and rigidity.

As seen particularly in FIGURE 11 of the drawings, cooperating surface 51 cooperates with supporting channel means 60 including its supporting surface 70 so as to define a substantially triangular support means which has considerable strength and stability and which is adapted to support supported channel means 43 of an identical sheathing panel 30. The triangular support means thus defined assures that high loads of the type created by wind, snow, or a person walking on the sheathing panels, for example, will not tend to loosen such sheathing panels or cause subsequent leaking.

Having described the detailed configuration of identical sheathing panels 30, the manner in which a plurality of such panels are suitably installed in position to define exterior surface means of a building construction will now be described in more detail referring more particularly to FIGURES 1 3 of the drawings.

Thus, as seen in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, a given sheathing panel 30 is first fastened in position using fastening nails 33 and inserting each of such fastening nails through an associated nail receiving opening 63 and into an adjoining purlin 26, see FIGURE 2. The centrally positioned sheathing panel 30 of FIGURE 2 is then placed in position so that its yielding wedge means 50 is received Within cooperating slot 55 of the previously fastened sheathing panel 30. The central sheathing panel 30 is then pulled so that its central portion 40 is in tension and with central portion 40 in tension fastening nails 33 are inserted in position through associated cooperating openings 63 provided in outward extension 61. It will be noted that the head '76 of each fastening nail 33 is arranged so that it is immediately adjacent double thickness end portion 62 comprising the terminal edge of extension 61.

With yieldable wedge means 50 installed in position in cooperating slot 55 of an adjoining previously fastened sheathing member 30 it will be seen that the normal tendency is for wedge 50 to spread the open end of cooperating slot 55 while simultaneously the surface means defining slot 55 tend to compress surface 45 toward surface 44. It will also be noted that the dimensions and configuration of slot means 55 and a cooperating wedge means 50 is such that a space remains as shown at 80 in FIGURE 3.

Thus, it will be apparent that with the application of loads against the outer surface of channel means 43 of an installed panel 30'as shown at 81 the normal tendency is to further tighten wedge means 50 and provide an even more liquid-tight or water-tight seal. In addition, transverse differential expansion and contraction of the installed sheathing panels 30 with respect to the supporting substructure is taken up by relative movement between wedge 50 of one panel and an associated slot 55 in an associated panel while maintaining a tight seal and using the space remaining at 80 as required.

As previously indicated, upon hooking or wedging wedge 50 of a given panel in an associated cooperating slot 55 of an adjoining previously fastened sheathing panel 30 the surfaces 70 and 71 comprising channel means 60 and 43 respectively are placed against each other throughout a substantial portion of their areas to define a double thickness structure which provides greater structural rigidity and strength to resist the various types of loads that may be required to be supported by the sheathing panels 30. Also, the particular configuration and structural arrangement of cooperating surface means 51 and adjoining channel means 60 define a stable substantially triangular support which is capable of supporting high loads.

It has been previously proposed to provide metal sheathing panels which are installed in position using concealed fasteners. However, such previously proposed panels generally have hooking end portions along one side edge which are quite complex in contour and thereby require the use of softer metal which must be compara tively thick to provide adequate strength which increases the total cost thereof. In addition, the junction provided along associated side edge means which are hooked in position is comparatively unstable and easily deformed by high external loading.

The improved sheathing panel 30 of this invention is of simple construction and preferably made of metalcontaining aluminum and each panel or sheet may be tempered. In one application of this invention tempered aluminum-containing sheets were utilized having the following typical mechanical properties, namely: an ultimate tensile strength of 35,000 p.s.i., a yield strength of '3 3,000 p.s.i., and an elongation of 3.5% over a typical two-inch section. However, these mechanical properties are given as an example of typical properties and it is to be understood that panels may be made having physical properties as desired to suit the particular application.

By suitably tempering the aluminum sheet stock it is possible to provide panels 30 having optimum strength yet using even thinner gauge metal than previously proposed sheathing panels of this type to thereby realize a saving in material costs. It must also be appreciated that if previously proposed constructions were to be made from tempered metal comparable to the metal used to form the panels 30, to provide comparable strength, the complexity of such previous constructions (particularly along overlapped side edge portions) would generally prevent such previous constructions from being formed as required.

The unique locking junction provided by wedging of an associated wedge 50 of one panel 30 within a cooperating slot 55 of a previously fastened identical panel provides optimum water tightness and is capable of withstanding high external loads without becoming disengaged. The unique configuration of the junction provided between each wedge 50 and a cooperating slot 55 of an adjoining sheathing panel 30 defines a number of adjoining inclined surfaces as shown at a plurality of locations each designated by the same numeral 84 for ease of presentation, see FIGURE 3. Such an arrangement of surfaces adjoining each other at an angle enables a liquid such as water to adhere in a thin film between adjoining surfaces. It has been found that the surface tension of such water helps prevent more water from seeping in and the adjoining surfaces are maintained in an optimum water-tight condition.

The central portion 40 of each sheathing panel 30 has the plurality of semicylindrical ridges 64 and central channel means 65 which as previously indicated provide added structural rigidity. The ridges 64 may also be effectively utilized to provide bend lines about which a given panel 30 may be bent downwardly to provide an integral interconnection and an integral fascia between an adjoining transverse substructure comprising a vertical wall and an associated roof construction as will be presently described.

A sheathing panel 30 made of aluminum is shown in FIGURE 4 of the drawings which has been longitudinally cut so as to bisect it and its central channel 65. Such cutting may be achieved with metal shears, or the like.

The half of panel 30 comprising channel means 60 is then fastened to a building construction so that a portion thereof designated by the numeral 85 is fastened by fastening nails 33 against a support beam 86 which defines top edge means of an associated vertical side wall 90 and also defines a portion of an adjoining roof substructure. The half panel is positioned so that a semicylindrical ridge 64 is arranged so that it lies along the top outer corner of the beam 86 as shown at 92. Thus, sheathing member 30 may be effectively utilized to define a single piece leak-proof fascia means and wherein its supporting channel means 60 defines the beginning point for extending a plurality of sheathing members 30 therefrom over the associated roof substructure.

Each sheathing panel 30 may also be longitudinally severed as previously described and used to define a fascia adjoining edge means of a substantially completed roof construction. Thus, as illustrated in FIGURE of the drawings, the half panel with channel means 43 installed in position by hooking channel means 43 over channel 60 of an associated panel 30. A portion 94 of the half panel is then bent about a semicylindrical ridge 64 and fastened by fastening nails 33 to a beam 95 which defines the top edge means of a vertical wall 96 and also defines a portion of an adjoining roof substructure. The semicylindrical ridge 64 is arranged in FIGURE 5 so that it lies along the top outer corner of beam 95 as shown at 97.

Thus, it is seen that each semicylindrical ridge 64 provides a line about which part of a panel 30 may be bent to define integral fasica means at the junction of a roof and vertical wall. Further, the configuration of each ridge enables easy bending without likelihood of shearing or undue stress concentration.

However, it will be appreciated that in many applications, the particular dimension configuration and arrangement of the various substructures is such that a given semicylindrical ridge 64 may not lie immediately adjoining the corner edge of the roof substructure and adjoin= ing vertical wall substructure after installing a plurality of sheathing panels 30 in position to define a given roof. For example, it may be found that the particular corner edge lies somewhere intermediate an adjacent pair of parallel semicylindrical ridges 64. Even in this situation a given semicylindrical ridge lying nearest to and outwardly of a vertical wall means is effectively utilized in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 6 which shows a building construction similar to the building construction of FIGURE 5. Thus, a panel 30 is again preferably longitudinally severed along channel means 65 and a portion of the half panel is then allowed to project beyond an associated beam 100 defining the top end edge means of its associated vertical wall 101. A portion of the half panel designated by the numeral 102 is then bent through an angle greater than 90 about a semicylindrical ridge 64 as shown at 103. The panel portion 102 is then fastened by fastening nails 33 to beam 100.

Thus, it is seen that a panel 30 may be effectively utilized to form an integral fascia adjoining a roof of a particular building construction even when a ridge 64 does not lie immediately adjacent the intersection of vertical wall and a roof construction after first installing the panels 30 in position to substantially complete such roof construction.

Each improved sheathing panel 30 is preferably made of metal containing aluminum which has been tempered before forming thereof to provide mechanical properties as previously indicated. It will be appreciated that such tempering makes it possible to provide sheathing material which has high strength and yet enables reduction of the amount of metal required to produce the sheet. For example, it has been shown that a metal saving of 3 to 4% is possible yet providing panels 30 which are superior to previously proposed panels.

Having described in detail the manner of installing a plurality of sheathing panels 30 in position to define a building construction and the unique construction of each panel 30 some typical exemplary dimensions will now be given for a particular sheathing panel 30 which has been made in production quantities. However, it is to be understood that the following exemplary dimensions presented for exemplary panel 30 may be varied, as desired. Thus, reference will now be made to FIGURES 7-11 of the drawings.

Each sheathing panel 30 presented in this example of the invention is made from a fiat aluminum blank having a thickness ranging between .014 inch to .021 inch and a width of roughly 21 inches. The flat blank is formed in any suitable manner to define a flattened panel measuring 17.894 inches plus or minus .062 inch from edge to edge. The distance between edge 41 and the first semicylindrical groove or ridge 64 is .980 inch and semicylindrical ridges 64 are preferably 2 inches apart. The distance from each ridge 64 which is arranged immediately adjacent channel means 65 to an associated side edge of thereof is .980 inch. In addition, each semicylindrical ridge 64 is preferably formed on a .125 inch radius as seen in FIGURE 9.

The central channel means 65 is shown in FIGURE 10 and has a width across its open end of 2.041 inches with the width across its top portion being .625 inch. The overall height of trapezoidal channel 65 above central portion 40 is .562 inch.

The supported channel means 43 is particularly illustrated in FIGURE 8 of the drawings and its hooking surface 44 is .295 inch in length with inclined wedging surface 45 being .233 inch and inclined at an angle of 15 plus or minus 2. The overall height of supported channel means 43 above central portion 40 is .562. Supported surface 71 has a horizontal width of .545, the top portion of channel means 43 has a width of .625, and the remaining surface adjoining side edge means 41 has a horizontal dimension of .708.

The supported channel means 60 is illustrated in detail in FIGURE 11 and has an overall height of .543 inch. The overlapped strip portion 54 and leg portion 53 have a width of .312 inch. The supporting surface is arranged at an acute angle with respect to central portion 40 and has a horizontal length of .525 inch. The overall height of the slot means 55 is defined by the leg portion 52. of cooperating surface means 51 and is .039 inch high.

The overall width of outward extension 61 is 1 inch outwardly of the outer end edge means of channel means 60. The double thickness terminal end portion 62 extends inwardly from the terminal side edge of the sheathing member 30 .250 inch and the opening means 63 are provided approximately .500 inch from the terminal end of the sheathing member.

The radii between adjoining portions of each panel arranged at an angle to each other will not be presented in detail. However, it will be appreciated that such radii will be modified in accordance with accepted shop practices for forming aluminum sheet having physical properties and gauge thickness as stated so as to avoid sharp bends and prevent stress concentration.

Each sheathing panel 30 may also be provided with a suitable pattern such as an embossed pattern, for example. One example of an embossed pattern which has been successfully used in production is a diamond pattern wherein the long axis of the diamond is arranged parallel tothe length of the sheathing panel.

Each sheathing panel 30 is also preferably suitably treated such as by painting or other suitable surface treatment to provide added protection, decoration, or other desired qualities. In the instance wherein painting is used as painted nominal dry film thickness of .001 inch has been found adequate.

In this presentation of the invention, the sheathing panels 30 have been illustrated in a roof construction and providing fascia means in association with a roof construction. However, it will be appreciated that the unique panel construction provided and the unique method of installing the sheathing panels 30 in position may also be used to effectively provide high strength and water-tight wall constructions for a building.

Reference was made earlier in this specification to the cutting of the exemplary aluminum panels 30 using metal shears to cut longitudinally along central channel 65 to provide fascia means along a vertical wall which is integral with the roof construction. However, it will be appreciated that each panel 30 may be cut at any location across its Width to provide integral fascia means of any desired width.

Terms such as top, bottom, inwardly, outwardly, and the like, have been used in this disclosure of the invention for ease of description to correspond to the arrangement of component parts as illustrated in the drawings and such terms should not be considered as limiting the scope of this invention in any way.

Thus, it is seen that an improved building construction and method of making same have been provided by this invention.

Further, this invention provides improved sheathing means particularly adapted for use in a building construction.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination: a building construction having a supporting substructure, a plurality of substantially identical sheathing members, and fastening means for fastening each of said sheathing members to said supporting substructure, each of said sheathing members comprising, a central portion having a pair of opposed side edge means, integral downwardly opening supported channel means extending from one of said side edge means and terminating in an inwardly hooking surface arranged substantially coplanar with said central portion, wedge surface means extending upwardly at an acute included angle from the terminal end of said inwardly hooking surface and cooperating therewith to define yielding wedge means, cooperating surface means extending from the other of said side edge means over a strip of said central portion, said cooperating surface means being arranged substantially horizontally above said strip and cooperating therewith to define slot means which receives substantially identical wedge means of an adjoining sheathing member of said plurality of sheathing members, downwardly opening supporting channel means extending from the terminal edge of said cooperating surface means, said supporting channel means having an inverted substantially V-shaped configuration defined by a pair of diverging legs with one of said legs adjoining an associated end of said horizontally arranged cooperating surface means, said supporting channel means cooperating with said cooperating surface means to define a substantially triangular stable support means which supports supported channel means of said adjoining sheathing member, and a substantially planar outward extension extending outwardly of said supporting channel means and arranged substantially coplanar with said central portion, said outward extension adjoining the terminal end of the other of said pair of diverging legs of said V-shaped supporting channel means with said outward extension defining a side edge portion of each sheathing member each of said sheathing members being fastened in position with its yielding wedge means wedged in associated slot means of a previously fastened one of said plurality of sheathing members, with its central portion in tension, and with its outward extension fastened to said substructure using said fastening means which is subsequently concealed by another of said sheathing members to provide a liquid-tight construction which becomes more liquid tight with external loading thereagainst and which compensates for differential thermal expansion and contraction of said plurality of sheathing members relative to said supporting substructure.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said central portion of each of said sheathing members comprises integral downwardly concave ridge means arranged between said channel means and having a height which is a fractional part of the height of said channel means, said ridge means providing high structural rigidity for its associated sheathing member.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 in which said integral ridge means in the central portion of each sheathing member comprises a plurality of substantially semicylindrical ridge means arranged in parallel spaced apart relation,

4. The combination as set forth in claim 2 in which, said outward extension of each of said sheathing members has an integral double thickness terminal end portion defining a stronger structure, said fastening means extends through each of said sheathing members immediately adjacent its double thickness terminal end portion and into an adjoining portion of said substructure, and said stronger structure defined by said double thickness end portion assuring each sheathing member is prevented from being sheared upon urging such sheathing member against each associated fastening means.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said central portion of each of said sheathing members comprises central downwardly opening channel means arranged midway between said side edge means and integral downwardly concave semicylindrical ridge means arranged parallel to and between said central channel means and each side edge means, said channel means of each sheathing member being of substantially equal height and said ridge means having a height which is a fractional part of the height of said channel means, and said central channel means and ridge means enabling each sheathing member to be formed using a minimum amount of constituent material yet having optimum structural rigidity.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which in each sheathing member said supporting channel means has an inclined supporting surface defining a leg of said inverted V-shaped configuration and adjoining said terminal edge of said cooperating surface means with said inclined supporting surface being inclined at an acute angle away from said central portion and said supported channel means has an inclined supported surface adjoining said inwardly hooking surface inclined at a corresponding acute angle toward said central portion, so that said yielding wedge means of each sheathing member upon being wedged in position in said previously fastened sheathing member said inclined supported surface is supported on an associated inclined supporting surface of said previously fastened sheathing member to define a substantially double thickness structural portion having high strength.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 6 in which said plurality of sheathing members are each made of metal containing aluminum having a high strength to weight ratio.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 3 in which said substructure comprises roof substructure and transverse substructure comprising wall means adjoining said roof substructure and said plurality of sheathing members comprises at least one sheathing member fastened by said fastening means along said transverse substructure and folded about one of its semicylindrical ridge means and overlapped against adjoining room substructure to define leak proof fascia means, said one semicylindrical ridge means enabling easy folding without the likelihood of shearing or undue stress concentration While providing a minimum height barrier defining a terminal edge of said liquid-tight construction, and said one sheathing member having its supporting channel as the beginning point for extending others of said plurality of sheathing members over said roof substructure.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 3 in which said substructure comprises roof substructure and transverse substructure comprising wall means adjoining said roof substructure and said plurality of sheathing members comprises at least one sheathing member fastened by said fastening means along edge means of said roof substructure as the last member used to complete a roof construction, said one sheathing member being folded about one of its semicylindrical ridge means and overlapped against adjoining transverse substructure to define leak proof fascia means provided as an integral part of said roof construction and said one semicylindrical ridge means enabling easy folding without the likelihood of shearing or undue stress concentration while providing a minimum height barrier defining a terminal edge of said liquid-tight construction.

10. A method of making a building construction comprising the steps of; providing a supporting substructure; providing a plurality of substantially identical sheathing members; each of said sheathing members comprising, a central portion having a pair of opposed side edge means, integral downwardly opening supported channel means extending from one of said side edge means and terminating in an inwardly hooking surface arranged substantially coplanar with said central portion, wedge surface means extending upwardy at an acute included angle from the terminal end of said inwardly hooking surface and cooperating therewith to define yielding wedge means, cooperating surface means extending from the other of said side edge means over a strip of said central portion, said cooperating surface means being arranged substantially horizontally above said strip and cooperating therewith to define slot means adapted to receive substantially identical wedge means of an associated sheathing member, downwardly opening supporting channel means extending from the terminal edge of said cooperating surface means, said supporting channel means having an inverted substantially V-shaped configuration defined by a pair of diverging legs with one of said legs adjoining an associated end of said horizontally arranged cooperating surface means, said supporting channel means cooperating with said cooperating surface means to define a substantially triangular stable support means adapted to support supported channel means of said associated sheathing member, and a substantially planar outward extension extending outwardly of said supporting channel means and arranged substantially coplanar with said central portion, said outward extension adjoining the terminal end of the other of said pair of diverging legs of said V-shaped supporting channel means with said outward extension defining a side edge portion of each sheathing member; providing fastening means; and fastening each of said sheathing members to said supporting substructure with said fastening means, said fastening step comprising the steps of wedging said wedge means of each sheathing member in associated slot means of a previously fastened one of said plurality of sheathing members, pulling said central portion of each sheathing member in tension, and fastening the outward extension of each sheathing memher to said substructure using said fastening means, said fastening means of each sheathing member being subsequently concealed by another of said sheathing members; said method providing a liquid-tight construction which becomes more liquid tight with external loading thereagainst and which compensates for differential thermal expansion and contraction of said plurality of sheathing members relative to said supporting substructure.

11. The method as set forth in claim in which said supporting channel means provided in each sheathing member has an inclined supporting surface defining a leg of said inverted V-shaped configuration and adjoining said terminal edge of said cooperating surface means with said inclined supporting surface being inclined at an acute angle away from said central portion and said supported channel means has an inclined supported surface adjoining said inwardly hooking surface inclined at a corresponding acute angle toward said central portion, so that said yielding wedge means of each sheathing member upon being wedged in position in said previously fastened sheathing member during said fastening step said inclined supported surface is supported on as associated inclined supporting surface of said previously fastened sheathing member to define a substantially double thickness structural portion having high strength.

12. The method as set forth in claim 11 in which said central portion of each of said sheathing members comprises integral downwardly concave semicylindrical ridge means arranged between said channel means and having a height which is a fractional part of the height of said channel means, said ridge means providing high structural rigidity for its associated sheathing member upon fastening such associated member in position during said fastening step, said step of providing a supporting substructure comprises providing roof substructure and transverse substructure defining wall means adjoining said roof substructure and said method further comprising the step of forming integral leak proof fascia means using at least one of said plurality of sheathing members, said step of forming fascia means comprising the steps of fastening said one sheathing member along one side edge portion thereof against said transverse substructure with said fastening means, folding said one sheathing member about one of its semicylindrical ridge means, said folding about said one semicylindrical ridge means being achieved without the likelihood of shearing or undue stress concentration with said one ridge means providing a minimum height barrier defining a terminal edge of said liquid-tight construction, and overlapping the unattached end portion of said one sheathing member against adjoining roof substructure, said one sheathing member having its supporting channel as the beginning point for extending others of said plurality of sheathing members over said roof substructure.

13. The method as set forth in claim 11 in which said central portion of each of said sheathing members comprises integral downwardly concave semicylindrical ridge means arranged between said channel means and having a height which is a fractional part of the height of said channel means, said ridge means providing high structural rigidity for its associated sheathing member upon fastening such associated member in position during said fastening step, said step of providing a supporting substructure comprises roof substructure and transverse substructure defining wall means adjoining said roof substructure and said method further comprises the step of forming integral leak proof fascia means using at least one of said plurality of sheathing members, said step of forming fascia means comprising the steps of, fastening said one sheathing member with said fastening means as the last member used to complete a. roof construction, folding said one sheathing member about one of its semicylindrical ridge means, said folding about said one semicylindrical ridge means being achieved without the likelihood of shearing or undue stress concentration with said one ridge means providing a minimum height barrier defining a terminal edge of said liquid-tight construction, and overlapping the unattached end portion of said one sheathing member against adjoining transverse substructure to define leak proof fascia means provided as an integral part of said roof construction.

14. The method as set forth in claim 13 in which said step of folding said one sheathing member about one if its semicylindrical ridge means comprises folding said one sheathing member about a semicylindrical ridge means arranged outwardly of said transverse substructure to enable provision of said integral fascia means even when the position of said one semicylindrical ridge means comprising the last member used to complete a roof construction is arranged away from the line of intersection of a roof substructure and adjoining transverse substructure.

15. A sheathing member for a building construction comprising, a central portion having a pair of opposed side edge means, integral downwardly opening supported channel means extending from one of said side edge means and terminating in an inwardly hooking surface, arranged substantially coplanar with said central portion, wedge surface means extending upwardly at an acute included angle from the terminal end of said inwardly hooking surface and cooperating therewith to define yielding wedge means, cooperating surface means extending from the other of said side edge means over a strip of said central portion, said cooperating surface means being arranged substantially horizontally above said strip and cooperating therewith to define slot means adapted to receive substantially identical yielding wedge means of an identical adjoining sheathing member, downwardly opening supporting channel means extending from the terminal edge of said cooperating surface means, said supporting channel means having an inverted substantially V-shaped configuration defined by a pair of diverging legs with one of said legs adjoining an associated end of said horizontally arranged cooperating surface means, said supporting channel means cooperating with said cooperating surface means to define a substantially triangular stable support means adapted to support supported channel means of said adjoining sheathing member, and a substantially planar outward extension extending outwardly of said supporting channel means and arranged substantially coplanar with said central portion, said outward extension adjoining the terminal end of the other of said pair of diverging legs of said V-shaped supporting channel means with said outward extension defining a side edge portion of said sheathing member, said sheathing member being adapted to be fastened in position in a building construction with its yielding wedge means wedged in associated slot means of an associated substantially identical sheathing member, with its central portion in tension, and with its outward extension fastened to said building construction with separate fastening means to provide a liquidtight construction which becomes more liquid tight with external loading thereagainst and which compensates for differential thermal expansion and contraction of said sheathing member relative to said building construction.

16. A sheathing member as set forth in claim 15 in which said central portion comprises integral downwardly concave ridge means arranged between said channel means and having a height which is a fractional part of the height of said channel means, said ridge means providing high structural rigidity for said sheathing member.

17. A sheathing member as set forth in claim 16 in which said integral ridge means comprises a plurality of longitudinal substantially semicylindrical ridges arranged in parallel spaced apart relation.

18. A sheathing member as set forth in claim 15 in which said central portion comprises central downwardly opening channel means arranged midway between said side edge means and integral downwardly concave semicylindrical ridge means arranged parallel to and between said central channel means and each side edge means, said channel means being of substantially equal height and said ridge means having a height which is a. fractional part of the height of said channel means, and said central channel means and ridge means providing optimum structural rigidity for said sheathing member while using a minimum amount of constituent material.

19. A sheathing member as set forth in claim 15 in which said supporting channel means has an inclined supporting surface defining a. leg of said inverted V-shaped configuration and adjoining said terminal edge of said cooperating surface means with said inclined supporting surface being inclined at an acute angle away from said central portion and said supported channel means has an inclined supported surface adjoining said inwardly hooking surface inclined at a corresponding acute angle toward said central portion, so that in wedging said yielding wedge means of said sheathing member in position in said associated identical sheathing member said inclined supported surface is supported on an associated inclined supporting surface comprising said associated sheathing member to define a structure having high strength.

20. A sheathing member as set forth in claim 19 made of metal containing aluminum and in which said outward extension has an integral double thickness terminal and portion defining a stronger structure which when urged against said separate fastening means assures said sheathing member is held firmly in position in said building con- FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner SAM D. BURKE III, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 50 52--94, 97, 531, 543, 748 

